Multi-Beam TCI State Mapping for Large Antenna Array CSI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems fail to adequately accommodate channel state information reporting associated with large, two-dimensional array transmit antennas or antenna array geometries, which are common in modern wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus for downlink and uplink multi-beam operation using transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states, which include a TCI state ID and up to N+1 components, to manage beam configurations for each entity in a wireless communication system, enabling efficient transmission and reception based on these states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing channel quality reporting processes are used, then the system maintains simple reporting mechanisms, but they fail to accommodate reporting of channel state information associated with large antenna arrays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel state information reporting by introducing separate reporting mechanisms for different antenna entities. Each antenna entity (e.g., panel, subarray, or beam group) has its own reporting structure, allowing the system to handle large antenna arrays by dividing them into manageable segments that can be reported independently through the TCI state framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the reporting structure by introducing TCI states that operate at a higher level of abstraction. Instead of reporting individual antenna element states, the system reports TCI states that represent groups or entities of antennas, effectively moving from a one-dimensional element-level report to a multi-dimensional structure that includes entity-level and group-level reporting.
2Productivity
If multi-beam operation is implemented for downlink and uplink, then radio interface efficiency and coverage are improved, but the complexity of beam management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal beam management framework using TCI states that serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same TCI state structure is used for both downlink and uplink beam management, for multiple antenna entities, and for different types of beams. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle complex multi-beam operations while reusing the same signaling and reporting mechanisms across different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by establishing correspondence between downlink and uplink beam configurations through TCI states. The uplink beam management can copy or mirror the downlink TCI state configurations, allowing the system to efficiently manage multiple beams by reusing configuration patterns rather than creating entirely separate management structures for each direction and entity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a user equipment (UE) comprises receiving configuration information including multiple transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states, and receiving a beam indication indicating a TCI state from the multiple TCI states. The TCI state indicates a beam for each of N entities (E1, E2, . . . EN), and the TCI state comprises a TCI state ID and up to N+1 components (A0, A1, A2, . . . , AN), where A0 comprises common components for all entities, and for each n∈{1,2, . . . ,N}, An comprises specific components for entity En, and components A0 and An together indicate the beam for entity En. The method includes determining the beam for each of N entities (E1, E2, . . . EN) indicated by the TCI state, and transmitting an uplink (UL) transmission or receiving a downlink (DL) transmission based on the beam for each of N entities (E1, E2, . . . EN).